Capral and Rio Tinto Pioneering Aluminum Recycling in Australia

Innovative Recycled Billet Trial at Boyne Smelter
Capral Ltd., Australia’s leading aluminum extrusions producer, has partnered with Rio Tinto to trial aluminum billets produced with recycled content at its Boyne Smelter in Queensland. The billets, created from Capral’s own postproduction aluminum scrap, contain at least 20% recycled content. This collaboration aims to integrate more sustainable materials into Capral’s supply chain, reducing the carbon footprint of its aluminum products. The trial billets are being processed at Capral’s Bremer Park extrusion plant, where scrap aluminum is remelted and cast into new billets for further use.

Advancing Circular Economy and Local Recycling
Capral is exploring the potential for expanding this sustainable process by incorporating even more recycled content into its products. By blending postproduction recycled scrap with virgin aluminum, Capral produces high-quality billets that meet the stringent standards required by industries such as construction and transportation. This closed-loop recycling process not only minimizes waste but also reduces the carbon intensity of the aluminum extrusions, demonstrating Capral’s commitment to a circular economy.

Luke Hawkins, Capral’s representative, emphasized the importance of local recycling, noting that most of the company’s scrap is currently sent overseas for processing, often ending up in different products. The goal is to recycle all of Capral’s scrap locally and support a more circular supply chain within the Australian aluminum industry.

Global Recycling Efforts by Rio Tinto
In addition to its Australian collaboration with Capral, Rio Tinto has made significant strides in aluminum recycling globally. The company has invested in the Canadian recycled-content aluminum producer Matalco, acquiring a 50% stake, and is also building a recycled-content-based furnace in Québec, Canada. These initiatives support Rio Tinto’s broader strategy to reduce its environmental impact and provide more sustainable aluminum to the market.